This is Messi's last World Cup and he is playing like that, says Wayne Rooney

New Delhi, Dec 14

As Lionel Messi confirmed he will be playing his last FIFA World Cup game when Argentina take on either France or Morocco in Sunday's final in Doha, former England star Wayne Rooney said the Argentine striker is indeed playing the way as if it's his last dance in a global showpiece event.

Messi led Argentina to a 3-0 win over Croatia in their FIFA World Cup 2022 semifinal on Tuesday night and will earn his 172nd and last cap in the World Cups during the weekend when he tries to take the side to its first global title since 1986 triumph.

"Messi announced that this is probably his last World Cup, and he is playing like that. He is playing like this, is it? It is now or never," said Rooney on the VISA Match Centre show on Sports18.

Earlier, Messi had confirmed the 2022 FIFA World Cup final to be his swansong in the mega event. "I feel very happy, to be able to achieve this, to finish my World Cup journey by playing my last game in a final."

"It's many years for the next one and I don't think I'll be able to do it. And to finish like this, it's the best," he was quoted as saying by Argentinian media outlet Diario Deportivo Ole.

With Argentina entering their sixth FIFA World Cup final and all set to play in the 2022 finale on December 18, Rooney thinks it is indeed the side's best chance to win the coveted trophy.

"They have got to the final and it is a great opportunity for them to win the World Cup. Even though you have got the greatest player of all time in Messi, it is the team that has got them through to the final. That's how you win things, that's how you win trophies. That's how you can be successful."